North Somerset Council is calling on private landlords to sign up and offer affordable renting options across district.

The authority has said that in return it can offer an “extensive range of incentives and a free, professional service” to landlords who can help house families and people who are threatened with homelessness.

Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, the executive member responsible for housing, said there was not an “easy solution” but the council was working to tackle the issues.

He added: “The main problem we have is that landlords are very often reluctant to have tenants who are on benefits.

“Quite often the people who are struggling the most have their own social and personal issues which doesn’t always make them the most reliable tenants.

“We want to be able to give landlords some sort of guarantee so they don’t have to worry about not being paid rent.”